Reply #169: Since my previous reply to your message got deleted... [View All]

[Goldmund]

...for reasons unknown to me -- other than refreshing your memory with more words you could add to your chain -- personally, I think it was an error by moderators, unless they can point out to me what specific rule I broke (I'd appreciate a reply here or in a PM, whichever) -- let me try this again.

Racial epithets don't offend me either. RacISM offends me. Though it may be true that racial epithets are most often, but not always, used in tandem with racism -- it isn't the words themselves that offend me, but the substance behind them. It isn't a certain sequence of syllables, but a certain sentiment. If the words are vehicles to express racism, then the racism is offensive; if not, then to call them offensive just because they are from your personal verbal hit-list is, I believe, not consistent with liberalism and free speech.

I actually think that the PC movement has set back the struggle for equality, not moved it forward. This whole idea that as long as we go through the motions and avoid certain phrases and certain mannerisms, we're in the clear, is ludicrous. All that does is push these things under the carpet where they are not as visible, but fester nevertheless. You know all those "BUT" people? "I'm not a racist/sexist/homophobe BUT..." (then insert: I'm not comfortable with homosexual or interracial marriages, I don't think women were made for certain jobs, etc). Well, they readily obey your verbal hygiene. Still they are offensive to me. And you know what else? Even though they're offensive to me, I would protect their right to hold those sentiments and freely express them. And then there will be a debate about them, as opposed to the endless status quo maintained by this PC aesthetic.